I slip past my parents, who are screaming viciously at each other in the kitchen, to the front door. I unlock it quietly and slip outside into the cool, October air. I just need to escape this house. I instantly regret not thinking to grab a jacket. I look around and see the guy that lives next door to us. I'm not sure what his name is, but everyone calls him V. There’s a rumor that he’s in a gang. He went to the same school as me before he dropped out. I think he was a grade higher than me though. I always see him around town with his friends, whom I nicknamed the Lollipop Guild, because every time I see them, at least one of them has a lollipop sticking out of their mouth, just like he does now.

    I lean against the wall, slide down and pull my knees up to my chest. My long black hair falls in my face. I don’t  think V even notices me sitting there. I could still hear my parents fighting, even from out here, but it isn’t nearly as bad. This also meant that V could hear them fighting too, I wonder if he just sits in his apartment judging us. Or maybe he just doesn't care at all. Judging from his expression, it’s most likely the latter.